Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, SEPT. 20, 1900. Whitebait.

Manawatu Herald, 20 September 1900, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, SEPT. 20, 1900. Whitebait.

Soon these little fishes will be very rare, and to be found but few and far between, because, as in the case of the Norway rat and the Native rat, the immigrant destroys the ancient occupier. It has been proved that the whitebait have been very scarce in the Manawatu river though it is now six weeks later than last year when they camo up in their millions. The reason why they are so scarce is easily partly accounted for by the salmon-trout, who undoubtedly have developed a taste for whitebait equal to any Maori. It has been found that they chase the small fish all over the river and are so eager in pursuit that they blindly rush into the whitebait nets after their prey, and fishers have by deftly lifting their nets caught both whitebait and salmon-trout. The question now arises as to which fish is the most commercially important, as it is evident the two will not live long when united, and the salmontrout enjoy the uniting. Though the Acclimatisation Society imagine everything should give place to flyfishing, others who have their living to earn prefer that the river should yield free food for all. When so much has been urged against the keeping of ground game for sport, it contrasts curiously with making our rivers a huge preserve. Whilst fish . are first deposited in a river some protection must be accorded to them, but the ealmon-trout were first privately introduced to the Manawatu river by five residents of Foxton nearly thirty years ago. Because the Society introduced more, they desire to claim the credit for stocking the river, and also the right to prevent anyone fishing who does not pay them toll. To any reasonable person it is evident that the salmontrout are in great numbers in the river, and the whitebait fishers, Europeans and Maoris have noted the numbers, and can point to particular parts of the river where they scour right across and up and down it. We would like to see the Government obtain an independent and reliable report on this fishery so that all might take a part legally in the capture of what is a valuable food fish, and such an action by thinning their numbers would also give a chance to the whitebait to continue their existence.

Mr A. Silk, pianoforte tuner, is now paying Foxton a professional visit. The Town Clerk notifies that all rates unpaid, on the ist October next will be sued for without further notice. The Queen will dissolve the English Parliament on Tuesday, and will summon it to meet again on November 3rd. At the Justices' Court this morning prohibition orders were granted against William Hutchinson and Christian Osterman. The Football Club are holding a ball on Tuesday, 25th inst., for which a large number ot invitations have been issued. A poll of the ratepayers of the Awahou Riding will be taken at the residence of Mr T. Bowe on Tuesday next for the purpose oi construction of the Elkins Motuiti road. - The Mayor invites the ladies to meet Mrs Rhodes to-morrow afternoon to arrange for an afternoon tea in Victoria Park on Peace Demonstration Day. Charges against two of the Marist Brothers who were connected with the Stoke Orphanage are to be heard at Nelson to-day. The poundkeeper notifies that three horses have been impounded, and if all claims and expenses are not paid will be sold Thursday, 4th October. To-morrow night the Foresters give a smoke concert to Mr F. E. Ward, who ' is leaving the district. The footballers and band also join in, as Mr Ward was a member of both bodies. The representative of Messrs Bridge and Andrews, the well-known dentists of Wellington, will be in Foxton next Tuesday, 35th inst., Levin Wednesday and Thursday, 26th and 27th, and Otaki on the 28th. We regret to learn that the Rev. W. Woollass had to go to the hospital in consequence of his health and will probably be absent for a month. During his absence Mr Walsh will act as Chairman of the School Committee. At yesterday's meeting of the Borough Council Messrs Austin, Purcell, and Walsh were appointed a committee to act with the Mayor in arranging a programme for the peace demonstration. There was a special meeting of the Borough Council yesterday at noon, when the new Councillors made the usual declaration. An auctioneer's license was granted to Thomas Westwood. In Mr Hamer's changed advertisement will be found an announcement that he has just received a full assortment of glass* and pebble spectacles. Also that all patent medicines are now reduced in keeping with the new duty. In the course of a speech at Ladybank in Fifeshire, the Right Hon. Henry Asquith, who was Home Secretary in the Gladstone and Rosebery Administrations, said the annexation of the South African Republics was inevitable. The Rev. R. T. Matthews, vicar of Bulls, has accepted a mastership in Christchurch Grammar School. He leaves Bulls at the end of the year for his new duties at Christchurch. The district of Bulls, Sandon and Greatford will then be added to that of Marton under the charge of Archdeacon Towgood. Talking of the salmon trout the other day with men who know something of their habits, we were asked if we knew of their liking for mice ? We •liscl.iimed any knowledge of that fact :md were then told that salmon-trout had been opened and mice had been found. An old fisherman had also said that if the fish would not rise to a fly, try a mouse, which would certainly fetch them. An interesting Maori wedding took place at Otaki on Tuesday. The bride was Hera Herangi, daughter of Tahuna Herangi (Charles Searancke), granddaughter of the late King Tawhiao, and niece of Mahuta, and belongs to the Ngatimahuta tribe. The bridegroom was Tungia Hema te Ao, grandson of Ropata te Ao, who for many years represented the Western District. He is chief of the Ngatiraukawa, and is only sixteen years old. An unusual incident has been reported from Singleton (New South Wales). The local police were informed that Robert Dunn, employed at Mount Hope, seven miles from Singleton, had been found dead in his hut. A man named Martin called at the place, and found Dunn on the floor, stiff and cold. A coffin was sent to the hut. and the Coroner proceeded there to hold an inquest. When the Coroner arrived he was astonished to find Dunn eating a meal. The supposed dead man had been in a state of catalepsy, but had recovered. Three informations were laid against E. S, Bradbury and M. A. Thomas, by the Inspector of Weights and Measures, under the Adulteration Prevention Act Amendment, 1895, with (1) failing, at the time of baking, to stamp their bread so as to show the weight of the loaf ; (2) with neglecting to provide their cart, from which the bread was sold, with a proper weighing machine; (3) with selling bread deficient in weight. The accused, who are bakers at Bunnythorpe, pleaded guilty to all three charges, and were fined 20s and gs costs on the first two, and in consequence of an explanation made by Mr Bradbury to the effect that the deficiency in weight arose from the fact that they had an inexperienced man weighing the dough. His Worship convicted and discharged them on the third.